Snow and ice: Arctic blast brings winter weather to NI

Arctic cold is expected to bring wintry weather to Northern Ireland this week, potentially causing disruption.

Expect snow showers, ice, fog, freezing nights, and cooler daytime temperatures over the next few days.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a weather warning for snow and ice from 3:00 p.m. Japan time on Monday until 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.

Strong northerly winds will bring showers from the north coast, initially falling as snow in higher elevations.

Sleet and rain is expected elsewhere, while snow showers will also fall to some low levels as cold air moves south across Ireland and the UK.

Approximately 5cm of snow is expected to fall on Glenshane Pass and Mt Coleraine.

TrafficWatch NI reported that salting of roads on the planned network will take place.

Several centimeters of rain is expected throughout the day in low-lying areas, mainly in the northern counties.

However, due to the random nature of showers, it won’t snow everywhere. In most cases, you can avoid snow completely.

Ice will then become an additional hazard for all counties into the evening.

A second heavy snow warning has been issued for the middle of the week.

The Japan Meteorological Agency expects snow showers to move south during the day Wednesday and continue overnight into Thursday.

A few inches of snow is expected in areas with light showers, and even more in areas with heavier rainfall.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has urged motorists to use caution on the roads.

They advise anyone driving after sub-zero overnight temperatures to “slow down and increase your stopping distance from the vehicle in front of you.”

A cold weather advisory is in place for the entire Republic of Ireland from 11am local time on Sunday until midday on Friday.

Ireland’s Met Office warned that severe frost, ice, sleet and snow were possible, mainly in the northern counties.

A yellow warning for low temperatures, ice, snow and showers has also been issued for all counties from 7pm on Sunday until 11am on Monday.

Another snow warning is in place for Donegal from 6pm on Monday until 11am on Tuesday.

Cold conditions could result in eligible benefit recipients in Northern Ireland being paid a £25 cold weather benefit.

The money will be given automatically to people living in areas where temperatures are recorded or predicted to be below 0 degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days.